Richard “Tony” McCune

Background: Graduate of Point Loma High School; holds a business degree from United States International University; Marine Corps for three years.

Business: Estimates his dealerships sold 1 million cars during his career.

Favorite car: Chrysler Cordoba, with Corinthian leather.

Fun pursuits: Has roller-bladed across the world — Italy, Hyde Park, the Caribbean, Central Park; owns an 80-foot yacht named November Tango, for “Tony, Nancy.”

Currently drives: A black Dodge Charger SRT-8, new enough to have dealer plates that have his picture with a dog on it.

Other: Has held leadership or advisory positions with organizations including the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp., the Rotary Club and the Sweetwater Union School District.

It’s over. Honest.

A 65-year auto-industry era in San Diego ended in March when longtime dealer Richard “Tony” McCune sold his Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealership on the National City Mile of Cars. It will be the first time since 1948 that the name McCune will no longer title a car dealership.

McCune, known for wearing a tuxedo in television commercials with a dog named “Honest” and a catchphrase of the same name, sold the business to Perry Falk, president of the Perry Auto Group and Perry Ford, for an undisclosed amount.

Tony’s father, Dick, opened the original dealership in 1948 on Third Street and National City Boulevard. Tony McCune, who started as a lot attendant, worked his way up and eventually took over the business in 1973. He opened the current dealership, on the Mile of Cars, in 1978.

He said he was recently approached about selling the dealership, and decided to turn over the keys.

“It just seemed to fit at the time,” McCune said. “Of course, you never know when the timing is right or wrong, but I just chose to — after 50 years — to sell the business.”

The dealership is now called Perry Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.

The U-T caught up with McCune to talk about the auto industry and his career. His responses have been edited for length.

Q: How do you see the auto industry today?

A: It’s very robust, for a number of reasons. I think now that the recession is over, people have held onto their cars for a long time, it’s time to change. The big reason why the car industry is flourishing now is the financing is a lot easier since the recession. The banks and financing institutions are buying paper now, they’re cashing contracts. It’s a lot easier for the consumer to buy a car right now and get it financed.

Q: Given that sales are up (county dealers topped 100,000 new cars sold in 2012 for the first time since 2007), did you have any trepidation on selling the dealership at this time?

A: Really. no. I’m a happy camper and so is my wife. And people ask me, “Well, what are you going to do with yourself?” I guess, nobody understands that I’m really, really busy with a lot of projects in the community.